EMERSON — Police arrested two Bergen County men who allegedly supplied an Emerson woman with the heroin she used before a fatal overdose this week, authorities said.

According to Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli, the body of 47-year-old Doreen Leach was found in an apartment at 18 Emerson Plaza West at around 3:26 a.m. Tuesday, after police received a call from a neighbor about an unresponsive female.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, and detectives launched an investigation that led them to 26-year-old Christopher Benvenuto, who had allegedly been using heroin with Leach prior to her overdose.

"When he realized that Ms. Leach had possibly overdosed, Mr. Benvenuto removed all evidence of the drug use and fled the apartment rather than render aid or call for help," Molinelli said.

Detectives found Benvenuto at his home in Old Tappan, along with drugs and other items taken from Leach's apartment.

They also found 38-year-old Glen Ridge resident Jordan Ross, who police said was hiding inside the home. Ross had an active warrant for numerous failures to appear in court for drug offenses, and was taken into custody.

Further investigation found that Benvenuto had purchased the heroin that killed Leach from 26-year-old Jessie Kurzweel of Closter, Molinelli said. Police arrested him in the parking lot of Paramus Park Mall Tuesday afternoon, and found several bags of heroin in his possession.

Jordan RossBergen County Prosecutor's Office

Benvenuto was charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death, reckless manslaughter, distribution of heroin and hindering apprehension. Kurzweel was charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death, distribution of heroin and possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

Both men are being held at the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bond, with no 10 percent option.

Passed in 1989, the "Strict Liability in Drug-Induced Deaths" statute allows the state to charge drug dealers and suppliers with the rough equivalent of homicide for supply narcotics that lead to fatal overdoses. However, prosecutors must prove that the defendants showed recklessness or disregard for the victim's life that played a role in their death.